How come the angling papers always claim that this is the best
time of year?

What with gale force winds, much needed rain, floating leaves,
over night frosts and clear water it's no wonder that catch
reports from our still waters are dropping off. If you're not
there you can't catch!

Yet with the Frogmore match lake now holding the bulk of fish
recovered from the Car Park lake, good catches are there for
those prepared to make the effort. And Smallford, with it's
great depth, is always less affected by the extremes of weather.
So pick the right day, right peg and right method and you will
catch, guaranteed.

And no doubt our river anglers will be challenged by the
occasional flood, but what a great chance to get back to your
angling roots with old-fashioned baits such as cheese and lob
worm to make a change from pellet, pellet and more pellet.

Remember to keep the reports - and pictures coming.

* * *

Call the VAC HOTLINE 01727 835904 for all the latest news on
club waters:

Half Price
Membership

At the end of October
membership was up again, now at close to 1200. The committee have
agreed to release a limited number of half season/half price tickets.. Available on a first-come, first-served basis, if
you wish to apply download the form (Adobe PDF format) by clicking
here.

Your Contribution

Keeping with the Autumn theme, here's a
couple of snaps from Riverside. Apologies to
the contributor as I've mislaid your name.

That man Dan again is in the news. The last
club match at Frogmore on 17/10 and Dan
arrives late to draw the last peg in the
bag, peg 23. Not only is it a good peg in
the narrow bit between the two ends of the
lake but it was also the golden peg on the
day.

Fishing long pole over towards the empty
platform on peg 12, Dan proceed to take
seven carp to 14lb on corn to weigh in
50-08. Just one fish short of the venue
record of 55lb. Me? I was just a couple of
pegs away on 21 and only a few skimmers came
my way :(

The VAC has acquired a short stretch of the
River Lea about half a mile upstream of our
Leasey Bridge venue. Only
about six swims are available so ideal for
members looking to escape from the busier
venues downstream.

Access is down Marquis Lane, off Station
Road, Batford, which is in turn off the
Lower Luton Road between Wheathampstead
and Luton.
We have one of our locks on the metal
gate opposite the Marquis of Grandby PH
and there is parking just inside the gate.
Do
not, under any circumstances, park out
side.

Several of the committee have already given
it a go and have taken nice dace, roach to
around 8oz with plenty of small chub and
rudd. There's no doubt that some work needs to
be carried out on the fishery which we hope
to commence when time allows.

Probably the main issue is that being only
very narrow with heavy weed growth on either
bank, as soon as you hook into
anything larger, it can dive straight into
the bank side vegetation.

Health & Safety

All members must take all reasonable
precautions to ensure that they, plus other
members and the general public are not put
at risk when fishing. A couple of items of
good advice have now been added to this
website and can be found by clicking the
link on the left hand column towards the
bottom.